Australian Sarah Corrigan will become the first woman to referee a men's rugby union international, the Australian Rugby Union has said.

Corrigan, 26, has been appointed by the International Rugby Board as one of 14 referees for the under-19 world championship in Belfast in April.

Last year Corrigan, who has been a referee for 10 years, became the first woman to referee a women's rugby World Cup semi-final, taking charge of the England-Canada match in Edmonton in September.

Australia will be defending the world under-19 title it won in Dubai last year.

Provided by AFP.